Breakthroughs in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Gastroenterology & Hepatopancreatobiliary Medicine".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: colorectal cancer, upper GI cancer, robotic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, endoscopy
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. In recent decades, survival rates in Europe have significantly improved thanks to screening programs, advances in surgery, and the development of systemic therapies. These achievements have transformed CRC from a fatal disease into a potentially curable condition for selected patients. A deeper understanding of tumor biology, heterogeneity, hereditary factors, and the tumor microenvironment has further refined clinical decision-making. This Special Issue focuses on recent progress in the diagnosis, treatment, and personalized management of colorectal cancer. Molecular profiling has driven the shift toward precision oncology, with established biomarkers, including MSI, RAS, and BRAF mutations, as well as DNA mismatch repair defects, guiding therapy selection and prognosis. Immunotherapy with PD-1 inhibitors has shown remarkable efficacy in MSI-high CRC, while combinations of chemotherapy, targeted agents, and immunotherapies are under active investigation. Equally important is integrating targeted systemic therapy with minimally invasive surgery, including laparoscopic and robotic techniques, to enhance tumor control while minimizing morbidity and promoting faster recovery. Original research, reviews, and clinical studies addressing novel therapeutic strategies, mechanisms of resistance, biomarker discovery, and multidisciplinary management are encouraged for submission to this Special Issue.
Dr. Laura Fortuna
Dr. Andrea Bottari
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- colorectal cancer
- targeted therapy
- minimally invasive surgery
- immune–oncology integration
- enhanced recovery protocols
- multidisciplinary care
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